Undergraduate Research Opportunities

An important part of the undergraduate experience for biology students takes place in the laboratory. As early as sophomore year, students can begin making groundbreaking discoveries alongside leading research faculty. Graduates who invest early in research projects are well positioned for competitive career options and advanced degrees in the sciences and medicine.

Harlan Undergraduate Research Program

Current first years, sophomores and juniors who have declared biology majors may apply for the Wilbur V. Harlan Research Fellowship program. Selected students are awarded a stipend to support independent research in a Biology Department lab. Students learn research techniques and methods and prepare a final poster session presentation.

Undergraduates in the Lab

Reem Al Shabeeb, BS ’17, followed her passion for biology and medicine from Baghdad to GW. She worked in Assistant Professor Peter Nemes’s lab using single-cell mass spectrometry to study proteins in neurons, a process that could help scientists develop ways to treat people suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Al Shabeeb received the Boeing Power & Promise scholarship during her sophomore year, presented her biology honors thesis as a junior and subsequently received the GW Undergraduate Research Award.

Finding Research Positions

Students interested in undergraduate research should contact specific faculty members directly via email. Before reaching out, students should review faculty biographies on the GW website and tailor their email to the recipient’s specific interests. Undergraduates are also welcome to reach out to researchers from other departments, including chemistry, physics, anthropology and the medical school.

Emails should be very brief, polished and organized. It should take a busy lab director no more than 30 seconds to read.

The initial email of interest should include:

A description of the writer’s biology interests and the type of research opportunity desired

Any lab experience, previous science classes and current GPA

Year in school (which indicates how many years can be dedicated to a project)